Long before it was taken over by a trio of brothers who repurposed it as a senior center, the Melting Pot in West Scranton served as a warm gathering spot for parties, banquets and special occasions.
(read more)

Days off were made for relaxing — and for eating. For many, Labor Day is the last workday off until Thanksgiving. Local Flavor knows the joy of not setting an alarm clock to sleep in the next day.
(read more)

hanksgiving long has been a day for people to gather with family and friends, indulge in delicious food and acknowledge the things for which they are grateful.

And for the last 25 years, people who might not otherwise be able to have such a holiday have received help through the Family to Family program, which provides area families with baskets full of supplies to make a Thanksgiving meal.

Leading the effort as this year's host family are Andrew and Judy Kettel, along with their four sons - Andrew, Christopher, Michael and Jeffrey - and their families.

On a recent cloudy, autumn evening, the Kettels gathered their family together at their Clarks Summit home. And as chatter and laughter filled the house, Mr. Kettel reflected on Family to Family's mission and role in the community.

"I think Family to Family sends a message that nobody should be deprived of togetherness and a good family meal," he said.

Helping hand

Founded by Dr. Jim and Mary Lou Burne and their children, Family to Family first handed out the baskets after they recognized a need for such a service in the area. The Burnes sought donations from friends, also encouraging them to ask others in turn to donate as well. The program received donations from 150 families and handed out 640 baskets that first year.

"They are the driving force behind this," Mr. Kettel said of the Burnes.

Hundreds of volunteers come to Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple annually the day before Thanksgiving to assemble and distribute baskets to the thousands who turn up, some of whom wait in line for hours before the doors even open.

"Everyone is getting together in the community and saying this is a special time of year," Mr. Kettel said.

And 25 years after that first distribution, Family to Family looks to raise $85,000 to cover the cost of 3,000 baskets it estimates could feed about 15,000 people this Thanksgiving. A $25 donation covers the cost of one basket.

Mr. Kettel, executive vice president of the private banking division at Penn Security Bank, one of Family to Family's corporate sponsors, identified two reasons for wanting to help the program: love of family and love of friends.

"Part of our basic belief at the bank is to have our community become a better place to live," Mr. Kettel said.

Mr. Kettel felt "very, very, very flattered" that his family was asked to be this year's hosts, and his wife said she was shocked when she learned of the request.

"I feel privileged and blessed," Mrs. Kettel said.

Another generation

The Kettels have four grandchildren and two more on the way, and as the youngsters smiled and played nearby, Mrs. Kettel pointed out that "this is what it's all about." Family to Family gives people the feeling of belonging together, Mr. Kettel said, and volunteers take away "a sense of good feeling" from the experience.

And he noted the influence volunteering with Family to Family could have on his grandchildren.

"They'll all remember as they get older in life to take this with them," Mr. Kettel said.

And the Kettels are providing more than just themselves to hand out baskets this year. The younger Andrew Kettel, varsity basketball coach at Lackawanna Trail High School, will have his team on hand to help, and his father plans to ask some friends to donate their time as well.

"Thanksgiving is the most important holiday, I think, of the whole year, where everybody can be thankful," Mr. Kettel said.

Contact the writer: cheaney@timesshamrock.comHow to Help

n Volunteers interested in helping prepare and distribute food baskets should go to Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Nov. 23. Family to Family recommends volunteers dress warmly.

n Donations to Family to Family can be mailed to: Family to Family, 444 Orchard St., Scranton, PA 18505.

n For more information, call 885-6444.

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.